Apply for a Change of Ownership of an Existing Seating Establishment License (with or without Plan Review)

Florida law requires owners of new public food service and new owners of existing establishments to obtain a license from the division before operating. The application process described below is for a PERMANENT SEATING FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP.

Application Requirements:

ELIGIBILITY: If your operation does not meet the following definition, please return to the previous page to select the correct one.

Seating - Permanent seating establishments are those fixed public food service establishments that provide and maintain accommodations for consumption of food on the premises of the establishment or under the control of the establishment. The operator of the establishment must provide the number of seats available to the public to the division prior to licensing for fee calculation purposes. The division does not authorize the number of seats. For seating levels and changes to seating, the applicant must obtain wastewater approvals from the Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the local utility authority.The local authority having jurisdiction must approve fire safety issues relating to seating levels. [Rule 61C-1.002(5)(b), Florida Administrative Code (FAC)]

APPLICATION WITHOUT PLAN REVIEW: Obtain and complete the Public Food Service License Application Packet in Microsoft Word or Fill-in PDF. The application packet includes instructions for making application and the following form:

APPLICATION WITH PLAN REVIEW:If you are applying for your change ownership license with a plan review, please obtain and complete the Public Food Service License with Plan Review Application Packet in Microsoft Word or Fill-in PDF (also referenced at the bottom of this page). The application packet includes instructions for making application and the following form:

LICENSE FEES: Annual license fees are listed on our food service fee website and are based in part on the county your establishment is located and when you wish to open.The division divides the state into 7 licensing districts according to county. Licenses expire each year at the following times:

District 1 - October 1

District 2 - December 1

District 3 - February 1

District 4 - April 1

District 5 - June 1

District 6 - June 1

District 7 - December 1

If you wish to begin operation within six months or less of your expiration date, you are required to pay only a half-year fee.

The division mails renewal reminder notices about 60 days prior to expiration.Therefore, if you are applying within this period, we allow you to purchase a license that will authorize you to operate for up to 14 months for 1.5 times the license fee. (Unfortunately, this option is NOT currently available for online applications).If you apply online within 60 days, or do not opt for the 14-month license, you need to be mindful when your license expires so you can renew before expiration, since the division may not send a reminder.

If you are applying more than six months prior to the expiration date, the full-year fee must be paid.

All new and change of ownership applications must include a $50 application fee.This fee is in addition to the annual license fee.

If you are filing for plan review, there is an additional $150 fee to complete this transaction.

To assist you in determining the correct fee, the division has provided a license fee calculator.This calculator requires Microsoft Excel®. To download software to use the calculator, please go to Excel Viewer. If you are filing for plan review also, make sure to add the $150 plan review fee to the calculated license fee by checking question 4 on the calculator.

The appropriate license fee must be paid to the division before a license will be issued. If plan review is required, the plan review fee must also be paid and the plan approved before a license will be issued. Please make checks payable to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. For assistance in determining the correct license fee, please contact the department at 850.487.1395.

PLAN REVIEW: The operator of each public food service establishment to be newly constructed, remodeled, converted or re-opened shall submit properly prepared facility plans and specifications to the division for review and approval in accordance with provisions of law and rule prior to the start of the construction or change. See our plan review webpage for more information. If you are filing for plan review, please include:

SCALED DRAWINGS: At least two (2) scaled drawings. The division will keep one set and return any additional sets to the applicant. You may submit additional sets required by local authorities. Click here for additional information.

MENU: All applicants are required to submit a copy of the proposed menu.

OPENING INSPECTION: If your facility has passed a sanitation and safety inspection within 120 days prior to the change of ownership, we do not require an inspection. If not, after meeting all requirements, contact the department at 850.487.1395 to schedule an opening inspection.

MORE INFO: For more information about our licensing process and other government requirements, please see our website. Use the Back button or arrow to return to this screen.

If you have questions or need assistance in completing this application, please call the Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395.

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact the office by phone or by traditional mail.
If you have any questions, please contact 850.487.1395. *Pursuant to Section 455.275(1), Florida Statutes, effective October 1, 2012, licensees licensed under Chapter 455, F.S. must provide the Department with an email address if they have one.
The emails provided may be used for official communication with the licensee. However email addresses are public record. If you do not wish to supply a personal address, please provide the Department with an email address which can be made available to the public.
Please see our Chapter 455 page to determine if you are affected by this change.